Thursday, December 4, 2014

Remember, Remember, the Month of November...

November was a great reading month. I am pretty close to a 100 books on my Goodreads reading challenge, even though my initial goal was to read 75. Given how many big books I read, and how my graphic novel count is (still!) zero, I am very impressed with myself! /modesty mode *ON*

There were two clear highlights in November for me. Since I am a self-proclaimed cynic with heart of cold, who is not moved easily by anything, I was pretty astonished by the chaos that the book "We Are Completely Beside Ourselves" and the movie "Interstellar" managed to cause on my mental landscapes.

(Feel free to skip the next few paragraphs if movies ain't your thing - if there are people like that out there...)

I don't think I've ever gone to see a movie twice in the movie theater (some of them legendary The Lord of the Rings films might have been an exception - I don't remember), but I'm planning to see Interstellar again. I have been a fan of Christopher Nolan's works for a long while, but his films always were intelligent, clever, thoughtful, unexpected, challenging - not necessarily emotionally touching. Well, that has changed now. Interstellar is a very emotional film and I can't get it out of my head. A few films have moved me this way - Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation (2003) probably comes the closest so far, but while Lost in Translation is quite confined in its scope and setting, Interstellar is hugely epic, covering time, space and matter, all less in three hours of time. It is a clear proof that science fiction does not equal trash or sub par. It is not a great sci-fi movie; it is a great movie, period.

As a side thought - if there are any other weirdos out there who can't stand the pointless-mindless snogging and making out in their movies, space films are a great choice - space suits make for a challenging situation when it comes to the compulsory kissing scenes.

Yes - who would have thought the 1000-page about building a church could be so addictive. It is a long and tasty book, and I want to read the sequel too. The only problem I had was somewhat two dimensional characters, but otherwise a great read.

I don't know about this book, maybe I wasn't in the right state of mind, but it was a tad hard to connect. It's short and not exactly character driven, but it is very intriguing in its setting - if there was the term "magical science fiction", this one would fit nicely. I'll still be checking out the next two because - short reads.

John Scalzi is a very fun author, I'd recommend him to people who kinda sorta want to try out sci-fi but are concerned about the science-y parts. Especially the first one in this series, Old Man's War, was so funny. The Ghost Brigades is funny too, but also focuses on deeper aspects of humanity.

Hoarding as a condition has always intrigued and terrified me. One of my biggest fears is the compulsion to have too much stuff in my life. I wanted to understand the minds of hoarders better through this book, but I didn't find what I was searching for. Miller focuses on herself and when it comes to her parents (the hoarders), this is more descriptive than analytical work. Writing was mediocre, the book could have benefitted from some skillful editing, and some things I just didn't get - like if someone in your family has a condition that is clearly not normal and completely destroys most of your life, howcome getting professional, psychiatric help is not the first thing that comes to everyone's mind?

The human is the savagest animal, no? What a wonderful, wonderful piece of fiction. Heart warming, emotional, but not in a manipulative manner (*cough* Jodi Picoult *cough*). The best way to approach this book is to not know anything about it.

I feel it's unfair to even say anything because clearly, I am unable to take young adult for what it is. This is probably one of the better examples of the specimen, but still I can't get over the simpleness of the genre (is it a genre? I don't think it actually is, but for the lack of a better universally agreed term...) The very short and abrupt dialogue style annoyed me to no end.

What a surprise! Kindred is a rough ride, and I am hesitant to call it SFF because really the only SFF element it has is the time travel. Otherwise it's more of (historical) fiction. But very interesting book that explores deep racial issues. Definitely will read more Butler in future.

Nothing to Envy is the best piece of non-fiction on North Korea I've read so far. My reads have all been very different - Escape from Camp 14 focuses on life in concentration camps; Somewhere Inside is a very journalistic/American take on North Korean bureaucracy machine. I very much missed a glimpse on the life of simple North Koreans, and I got it. There were answers to some of the questions I've had for a while - like, do they really live in total lack of knowledge about the rest of the world (some don't); how deep does the whole brain-washing thing go; how do North Korean defectors act once they settle somewhere else (usually China or South Korea); why do they agree to live like this? Highly recommended.

Very impressive! I am also close to my 100 goal, but I most definitely have graphic novels & even some children's books on my list for the year. Still, it's way more than normal for me so I will say I'm a bit impressed with myself as well, lol.

I've had Pillars of the Earth forever, but just haven't found the right time to read it. It'll happen someday I suppose!

I was so hesitant to read The Pillars of the Earth, if I hadn't put it to TBR Challenge, who knows when I would have got to it! However, it's SUCH a fast book. And I'm not even the biggest fan of historical fiction in the world (I mean I like it but it's not my favourite genre) - and I just kept reading and reading like nobody's business :)

I just finished reading Nothing to Envy, and it was devastating. The last image she leaves you with, of the North Koreans just squatting down and staying where they are, waiting for a change that will never come, wrecked me.

I'm pleased you liked the Karen Joy Fowler! I thought she did a terrific job with every part of that story -- it made me really excited for whatever she's going to do next.

I'm glad you think the same way, Jillian - I have the feeling that lately everyone I've heard talking about it has been complaining that "didn't live up to the hype". Don't let hype in your life, people, and you'll be alright ;)

That is a seriously impressive reading month! I have been putting off Pillars of the Earth for ages, mainly because building a church just doesn't sound that thrilling, but as you liked it so much I will have to give it a go :)

I equally loved Nothing to Envy because of the insight into the lives or ordinary North Koreans and I agree it's beyond words that such a society exists while we go about as we do. I only just found out this week that Kindred involves time travel, so that has roused my curiosity and I'm also interested in Ken Follett's books but unsure of committing to a series.

I think the "series" of The Pillars of the Earth consists of only two books, both set in the same location but in totally different time periods, so I definitely will read the second book as well. I would recommend Kindred to everyone :)